What is a Cause-Driven Organization? Is that different than a ...

Cause-Driven Organizations

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What is a Cause-Driven Organization?

A Cause-Driven Organization is one that centers its focus outside the organization to the larger cause

being addressed. The Cause is often a core belief that is shared by several organizations, providing the

basis for collective impact through coordination, cooperation, and collaboration.

Is that different than a Purpose-Driven Organization?

Many Purpose-Driven Organizations look outside the organization to a purpose greater than themselves

(e.g., feeding hungry people). The Purpose drives the organization internally, and they do good work.

However, they often don¡¯t use that as a basis for long-term, meaningful connections with other

organizations that leverage greater impact. Cause-Driven Organizations work with other organizations as

a matter of standard practice.

Cause-Driven Organizations are Game-Changers

Often, an organization does good work that is supported by funders

(donors and foundations), approved by the board, and lauded by the

community. And yet, while the work is good enough to meet

immediate needs, it doesn¡¯t address the greater issue of decreasing

the need. The game stays the same. The needle doesn¡¯t move.

Good is the enemy to great.

And that is one of the key

reasons why we have so little

that becomes great. Jim Collins

A Cause-Driven Organization breaks through the Good Enough Ceiling to the great work of changing the

game. This is only possible (with rare exceptions) by working with other organizations. Based upon a

shared core belief, organizations communicate often and explore naturally occurring opportunities to

coordinate, cooperate and collaborate in their work. This greater capacity brings greater effectiveness to

meeting immediate, acute needs and provides the additional capacity to address the issues related to

decreasing the need.

Breaking through the Good Enough Ceiling

Cause-Driven Organizations break through the Good-Enough Ceiling

by implementing projects that employ strategies that fulfill a purpose

that addresses a cause, moving the organization forward by changing

the game.

When many good organizations implement projects, they opt for a

¡°do it all in-house¡± mode of operation that strains capacity by adding

tasks on top of already full plates. Cause-Driven Organizations

implement projects that increase capacity, as they work with other

organizations to increase both efficiency and effectiveness.

PROJECTS

STRATEGIES

PURPOSE

CAUSE

ONEplace provides general information and guidance based upon commonly-observed situations. This information should not

be considered as legal advice. Consult a licensed professional for advice for your organization.

04/24/2018

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(con¡¯t)

Many good organizations draft strategies that guide the organization in reasonable ways: maximize

fundraising, strive for excellence, customer-centered. A Cause-Driven Organization challenges the

organization to deepen their collective roots by employing strategies that focus its activities toward

fulfilling a compelling purpose (e.g., facilitate collaborative connections; address the whole person).

The mission or purpose of a good organization often provides a strong, driving force that defines

meaningful work from all involved (e.g., feeding hungry people). The organization may be aware of a

larger cause (e.g., belief that all residents should be food secure), but the cause only serves to reinforce

the mission. The operational focus remains internal, and it keeps the organization limited to the good,

acceptable ¨C even laudable ¨C work of meeting needs.

The purpose of a Cause-Driven Organization also provides for strong, meaningful, internal alignment,

but it does not drive the organization. The Cause compels the staff, board and others to do their work in

alignment with other organizations.

Further, in a Cause-Driven Organization, no program or service or effort

is too important to stop doing if that is what¡¯s required to do great work.

Indeed, the organization itself would be willing to shut its doors if

necessary. Of course, the paradox is this: the more you focus on what¡¯s

best for the community, the better is it for your organization.

The real question is, once you

know the right thing, do you

have the discipline to do the

right thing, and equally

important, to stop doing the

wrong things? Jim Collins

Breaking through the Good Enough Ceiling

Activities that¡­

Are good enough

Shatter good enough ceiling

Implement projects that¡­

Strain capacity

Increase capacity

Employ strategies that¡­

Guide the organization

Challenge the organization

Fulfill a purpose that¡­

Drives org internally

Focuses the org & message

Addresses a cause to¡­

Reinforces mission

Drives org internally &

builds connections externally

Move the org forward by¡­

Doing good work

Changing the game

In Summary

A Cause-Driven Organization unites the organization around something larger than itself. Knowing how

the organization fits within the context of a larger cause, the Cause-Driven Organizations puts a sharp

point on its message, encourages volunteer and board recruitment, and energizes fundraising efforts.

Cause-Driven Organizations view coordination, cooperation, and collaboration with other organizations

as standard operating procedure, because they know that the needle will never move and the game will

never change as long as organizations work in isolation.

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